Exercise Ball Ab Workouts

Archive for the ‘Ball Types’ Category

Thinking about an exercise ball for ab workouts?  Wondering if something that looks so easy can really be a workout…or even work?

Yes, you can get a good workout on an exercise ball, and it can firm and tone your abs and strengthen your core.  Leaving you strong, sleek and sexy.

Exercise ball workouts may look easy, but you’ll find that they really do target your core — no matter what part of your body you are exercising!

Exercise Balls By Any Other Name…

Exercise balls are also known under the names fitness, pilates, stability, Swiss and balance balls.  They are not the same, however, as medicine balls.

These rubbery round objects some in 4 basic sizes:  45 cm, 55 cm, 65 cm and 75 cm.  The size you need is based on how tall you are, as well as how long your legs are.  If you’re under 5′ 4″ you may want to try the 45 cm ball; if you’re over 6′ tall, you might want a 75 cm ball.   Between the two heights, your ball will depend on the length of your legs (long legs – larger ball size).

Click to shop for fitness balls at great prices.

Ab Workouts – Core Workouts

So you have a ball (or have one on order); what kinds of ab and core exercises can you do?  For one, just sit on the ball with your core pulled up; you’ll feel in about 10 seconds flat how even sitting on the ball can tone your core!

You can check out the exercise ball DVDs; I personally own several of the DVDs I have listed and think they’re great.  If you’re a true beginner, however, I can’t think of a better DVD to get you started than the Stability Ball Workout for Dummies.

There are DVDs for every preference — for abs, Pilates, yoga, stretching and even cardio!

Browse, Click and Buy

So go ahead; browse this site and find the information you need, along with a ball and a DVD or two to get you started.  On the right side of the page at the top is where you can browse the various categories.  Can’t find what you want?  The search box is right above it.

Enjoy learning about exercise balls, then buy the one that’s right for you!

The stability ball is a great addition to any workout program, it can actually speed up the process of your work outs, because it gives the body additional work to do.  And that additional work translates to a better workout for your body!

A stability ball is also known by other names — exercise ball, pilates ball, fitness ball, yoga ball…you get the idea.  The name may change, but the results are just as sweet!

Need some reasons to add this to your daily life?  I have more than that — I have 4 reasons.  Let’s take a look.

Reason #1:  It’s Easy to Use

This ball is a great and easy tool to you use, and can actually increase the speed in which you can switch exercises. Why? Because since this ball is basically used in every exercise you can do, it saves you time when having to switch.

Reason #2:  Multiple Uses

Not only can a stability ball be used as a weight bench (not to mention a great support tool) it can also be combined with other types of work outs, such as yoga, pilates, and stretching.

You can even just sit on it while you are at work, and at home watching some t.v.  And if you want to have a little fun, then start bouncing it (carefully) around your room; you’ll have a blast, and work out your leg muscles in the process.

Just expect people to ask you what that thumping was, and why you seem out of breath… 

Reason #3:  Adds Intensity

Since this ball increases the difficulty of all your exercises it naturally increase the intensity.  Why?  Because it will use more muscle groups to get the same thing done that would have only taken one muscle group before.

It has to do with the fact that the stability ball is an unstable surface, and your muscles are constantly trying to work harder, to keep yourself balanced.

Reason #4:  Targets a lot of Muscles

Instead of working on 1 muscle group at a time, you will work on several with the ball in tow. The reason for this is because you are constantly using other muscle groups to keep yourself stable on it’s unstable round surface.

This will speed up your work outs, and increase the amount of fat you are burning, thus increase your calories burnt for that day. Meaning, if you add the ball to your program, you are going to lose more fat quicker, than if you did the workouts without one.

Reason #5:  Price of a Stability Ball

OK, I said in the beginning that I’d give you 4 reasons, but here’s a 5th — price.  Stability balls are exceedingly inexpensive — less than $20 gets you a great one that will last years (and takes up very little space).

As you can see this exercise ball has many uses, and reasons why you should be adding it to your daily work out if you have not already.

This “wonder ball” is easy to use.  You can also use it in many ways to improve your life.  A fitness ball adds a great deal of intensity to any workout, since it uses multiple muscle groups.  The result?  You have an increased workout, and will reach your goals faster.

Just do it — add a stability ball to your exercise routine!

Pilates balls, also known as fitness balls, aren’t what most people think about when they hear the term “Pilates exercise equipment”.  But over the years, they’ve become a staple in many people’s workout routines.  Here’s how using a Pilates ball can boost your exercise program.

Get the Right Size

There are three main sizes of Pilates balls — 55 cm, 65 cm and 75 cm (diameter).  Buying the right one for you is a necessity for getting the most out of the exercises.

(You can see all three sizes for sale in the right sidebar — at less than $20 they are a true bargain!)

As a rule of thumb, here goes:  If you are 5′ 4″ or shorter, choose the 55 cm ball.  Between 5′ 4″ and 6′ in height, choose the 65 cm size.  And over 6 feet, select the 75 cm.

If you’re on one of the borderline heights, take into consideration the length of your legs; long legs go for the larger of the two sizes.  Shorter legs, go for the smaller Pilates ball size.

There’s the Stretch

Pilates balls can be used wonderfully well as a stretching tool, both before and after a workout.  The ball lets you stretch more muscles at a time, giving you a more even warmup (and cool-down).

In addition, this exercise ball helps to keep your body in correct alignment, increasing the efficiency of the stretching.

Balance and Resistance

Here’s the main reason that Pilates balls boost your workout…and it’s just because you’re sitting on a ball!

Sitting on an exercise ball isn’t like sitting on a chair.  The ball causes you to constantly shift your balance, giving your muscles an extra workout beyond the extercises themselves!  If you don’t believe me — just sit on a ball and find out.

The Pilates ball also provides a certain amount of resistance.  The more you inflate the ball, the more resistance you’ll end up with.  And the more resistance, the more your muscles have to work.

Pilates Balls and DVD

As I mentioned before, you’ll see the three sizes of Pilates balls in the sidebar on the right side of the screen.

And while you’re there, why not pick up a great starter DVD, if you’ve never done Pilates ball work before — I have it and I highly recommend it.   On the Ball Pilates Workout for Beginners

Sitting on an exercise ball chair instead of a real chair, has been gaining more and more popularity over the years than people might think. People sitting in offices for 8 – 10 hours a day tend to develop problems with their body because they are inactive for so long during the day. Learn how this chair will change all of that.

Proper Spine Alignment

Sitting on this stability ball chair is about as unstable as it can get, considering it is round after all. However, since you are constantly trying to keep your balance, your body is moving around all the time.

And believe it our not, but when you are in the perfect spinal position, you actually have the greatest balance. Your body already knows this, and is always trying to get into this position. This will not only increase your spinal strength, but relieve you have back pains as well.

Improve Your Balance

A round surface is pretty unstable, and since you are sitting on it, you will constantly be shifting yourself trying to get a better balance. What this is going to do is increase your sense of balance, as well as allow your body to develop muscle memory when it comes to balance.

And this “muscle memory” will give your body the ability react to a shift when it becomes unbalanced, even when off the stability ball chair.

Feel More Energetic

Staying in one position for to long will lead to drowsiness, and fatigue. It has been proven that an active body will have more energy to go about it’s day to day business.

You may be sitting on the exercise ball chair, but since you are  constantly moving, because of your body trying to keep its balance, you are not exactly sitting still anymore.

Exercise Ball Chair Summary

Using an exercise ball chair to replace your current chair has a lot more advantages than just spinal alignment, balance improvement, and more energy. However, these are still 3 really good benefits to have.

They say that it is even better than an ergonomic chair, which is still a solid safe surface, trying to give yourself the best posture available. The only thing that you need to worry about is if you have a chronic lower back problem. Sitting on an exercise ball may irritate this problem, however, if you gently ease yourself into it, it will eventually work wonders for you.